Focus: Building the next century of Coral Gables | Opinion

When Warren Buffett and Bill Gates — two of the most successful business leaders of our time — were asked to define the secret to their success, they both wrote down one word: focus.

That same principle has guided my work as mayor of Coral Gables. Focus is how we protect what makes our city special while pursuing bold improvements for the future.

Over the last 150 days since I took office for my third term as mayor, that focus has delivered meaningful results. We rescinded unjustified commissioner salary increases.

We’re holding a referendum to expand voter participation by moving our municipal elections to November.

We added safeguards to protect city reserves, requiring a four-fifths commission vote before tapping them. And for more than a decade, we have maintained one of the lowest millage rates for a full-service city in our community, providing relief to residents and businesses while preserving financial strength.

These reforms, combined with the dedication of our leadership team led by City Manager Peter Iglesias, show that when we stay disciplined, we raise the bar across every measure that matters — from fiscal stability to public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Our city continues to earn international recognition for innovation. Coral Gables has once again been named one of the world’s top seven Smart Cities by the Intelligent Community Forum.

This recognition comes from deliberate investments in real-time data, fiber broadband and AI-powered infrastructure that improve mobility, enhance safety and expand public Wi-Fi access. Coral Gables is proving that even a mid-sized city can set a global standard for smart city design.

Focus also means improving the customer experience. In development services, we’ve created a one-stop shop for permitting, launched digital plan submissions, and are hiring 20 new positions to improve reviews, inspections, and buildouts. Our building department is an enterprise fund, so these enhancements pay for themselves without burdening taxpayers.

We also formalized the Permitting Assistance Program, designed in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. This initiative helps businesses open faster through concierge-level support and coordination across departments. By reducing costly delays, we strengthen our business-friendly reputation and attract the kind of investment that fuels job creation and long-term growth.

This year marks the centennial of both Coral Gables and our Chamber of Commerce. It is bittersweet to celebrate without my dear friend Mark Trowbridge, the Chamber’s longtime CEO, whose passion and leadership left a lasting imprint on our community.

To honor his legacy, I have proposed naming one of our new downtown parks in his memory — a place where future generations will learn about a man who helped shape the heart of our city.

George Merrick understood from the very beginning that to build a truly great city, you needed both a world-class university and a strong business community.

That is why, only months after incorporating Coral Gables, he also established the Chamber of Commerce. He recognized that the University of Miami would anchor education and culture, while the chamber would serve as an advocate and connector for businesses. That vision — education and enterprise working hand in hand — remains as relevant today as it was a century ago.

As we step into our second century, we must lead with civility, transparency and accountability. That’s why I’ve introduced a referendum to create an independent Inspector General for Coral Gables, adding another safeguard to protect taxpayer dollars and uphold the highest ethical standards.

Our residents have made it clear: They expect leadership that respects the public trust, engages the community and delivers results.

We are not just celebrating the past hundred years; we are laying the foundation for the next hundred. With focus, collaboration and ambition, Coral Gables will continue to be the City Beautiful, for this generation and the next.

Vince Lago is the mayor of Coral Gables.